MLS Weekend Preview: Week 19

Old friends meet up in Chicago this weekend as Ljungberg and the Fire host Henry and the Red Bulls.

Forgive me for being a bit light today on the posting front. It took me some time to get to these weekend previews as today turned out to be busier than I anticipated for me at the day-job.

Week 19 in Major League Soccer is a busy one and one with a huge matchup on Sunday. Probably the most star-studded matchup the league has ever seen outside of an All-Star game. When New York and Chicago meet up we’ll have a chance to see five Designated Players on the field at once.

This one could be pretty good. Chivas faces their old boss in Preki who’s club is dropping points lately. No doubt in my mind Chivas is a club on the rise right now and will give Preki’s team a real physical battle in this one.

Its still hard to bet against Toronto at home though. They will be a little battled tested due to the extra game this week that saw them move on in the CONCACAF Champions League. It could be a let down game in that regards for Preki’s team but with the likes of Dwayne De Rosario leading the charge its tough to count them out at home against a team that is still in a bit of a transition phase.

Player to watch out for: Mista – Will this DP ever earn his roster status? He needs to start producing now before this gamble turns into a waste for Toronto.

WVH Prediction: Toronto 2, Chivas 1

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D.C. United – at – New England Revolution:

Easily two of the worst clubs in the league right now, both hoping to have a glimmer of playoff hope right now. No doubt for D.C. if they are to win another game this season it would have to be this one right here. With interim coach Ben Olsen taking over for the fired Curt Onalfo we’ll see a grittier United squad than before.

New England won’t have the services of Kevin Alston and Marko Perovic, both injured during Wednesday night in SuperLiga action. Both signal big losses for Steve Nicol’s side. Part of me likes New England at home but D.C. will be out to prove something to their new boss. A draw sounds like the most likely scenario.

Player to watch out for: Shalrie Joseph – He’s still the biggest reason left to watch the Revs this season. They have to play through him and hope he comes up with something special.

WVH Prediction: New England 1, D.C. 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – Kansas City Wizards:

So is this KC squad for real or will RSL bring them back down to earth again? That’s what we’ll all find out tomorrow night in KC. The Wizards are hoping to get back into the playoff mix but a vist from RSL won’t be the easiest way to do it.

I won’t lie I have trouble still picking RSL on the road even though they are the better side in this one. With the bulk of their roster finally getting healthy again I think they’ll pull this one off. I do expect Peter Vermes’ team to give a solid effort in this one as Teal Bunbury has really come on strong lately for them. I just think RSL’s defense is too good to let up right now.

Player to watch out for: Javier Morales – He’s the main guy for the offense for RSL. I don’t know who on KC will be able to handle him in the midfield.

WVH Prediction: RSL 1, KC 0

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San Jose Earthquakes – at – Colorado Rapids:

Two western conference sides collide in this one tomorrow night. Both seemed to be in a prime location for a playoff spot a month ago but each are slipping ever so quickly out of it due to their lack of offensive firepower.

Colorado has won since June and San Jose just got hit hard with the injury news to rookie Ike Opara. This one feels like it will be a deadlock as neither really know what it takes to win right now.

Player to watch out for: Colin Clark – We’ve seen him be special before on the wings for the Rapids, it may be time for him to finally show up this weekend.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, San Jose 1

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Sunday

Philadelphia Union – at – FC Dallas

I’m already dreading the heat for this 5pm affair. Philadelphia is coming off a game that some thought they could have won or at least gotten a point from while Dallas just tied the European champions. Who do you think has a little more confidence?

Each will have some fitness issues and the heat will play a factor in this one but at the end of the day you have to think Dallas is the better team here all across the board. Newcomer Milton Rodriguez is looking good up front for Dallas and the defensive issues in the back for Philadelphia won’t get any better against MVP candidate David Ferreira.

Player to watch out for: Brek Shea – I said it all last night against Inter Milan, Shea is easily having one of the biggest breakout seasons right now. He should have a good afternoon against one of the leagues weaker defenses.

WVH Prediction: Dallas 2, Philadelphia 0

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New York Red Bulls – at – Chicago Fire

This one is the big one of the weekend. Like I mentioned above we could see as many as five DPs on the field at once, something we’ve never seen before in the league. Chicago looks like they’ve got a good pep in their step right now with Nery Castillo and Freddie Ljungberg. They have some games in hand and could make a serious playoff push with three points.

New York had some defensive issues but now they have Rafa Marquez to help them out.

Defensively the nod now has to go to New York as Chicago still has some lingering issues in the back. Even though I think rookie keeper Sean Johnson is the way to go for the Fire he may not have the best evening against the likes of Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel.

Player to watch out for: Marquez – His first MLS game against a team that looks to be gaining some steam. Very curious to see how good of a signing he’ll be on the field for New York.

WVH Prediction: New York 2, Chicago 1

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Houston Dynamo – at – Seattle Sounders FC

Both teams have some fitness concerns after midweek games in the SuperLiga and CCL respectively. But looking at things Seattle has a little more going for them right now based on their recent form. The two new Seattle DPs are starting to settle in nicely with their new club and Fredy Montero is starting to look even more dangerous than before.

For Houston this hasn’t been an easy season but things are getting better as Geoff Cameron is slowly coming back to health. I can’t see him making an impact in this one with the way Seattle has played recently but its a sign of better things to come for Dominic Kinnear’s team.

Player to watch out for: Alvaro Fernandez – Helped Seattle move on in the CCL with his first goal for the club, look for him to get a little more comfortable with this club in this one.

WVH Prediction: Seattle 2, Houston 1

guest

Auvray is one of the best defensive mids in MLS. He should be up to the task of stopping Morales.